Having students choose a favorite quote or dialogue from the book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quote or dialogue means to them and why they chose it.
Some students may end up choosing the same quote or dialogue, but have different perspectives. This is always interesting for students to see and can open up a discussion as to how not everyone can read the same lines in the same way based on their own perspectives and personal experiences.
”This is how I feel every single day of my life, like I’m falling without a parachute. I mean, I’m not really falling. That’s called a metaphor.”
”Fitting in on the ride to school is hard work! I have to be like a chameleon.”
”I really love how Batman stands up for the little guys. Because usually, that little guy is me!”
”Never comfort someone with a lie.”
”You don’t have to like everyone, but you don’t have to be a jerk about it, either.”
”Nah, I could never forget you. You’re my shrimp lo mein! Trust me, that’s a good thing.”
”She thinks she’s all wonderful and accepting, but she’s not.And she acts like she knows me, but she doesn’t. It’s really frustrating.”
”You don’t always have to choose, kiddo. Sometimes just let yourself be happy. Just know that whatever you do, I’ll always be proud of you.”
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies your favorite quote or dialogue in New Kid. Illustrate your quote and write what it means to you.
Student Instructions:
Ask students to relate their chosen quote from New Kid to something they've experienced in their own lives. This helps students build deeper personal connections and enhances comprehension by linking fiction to real-world feelings or situations.
Invite students to draw or create a visual scene that shows how the quote makes them feel. Let them use colors, symbols, or facial expressions to express the mood or message behind the words. This supports creative thinking and self-expression.
Organize students into small groups to share their quotes, illustrations, and personal meanings. Encourage respectful listening and ask each student to reflect on similarities and differences in interpretations. This fosters empathy and communication skills.
Have students write a short paragraph explaining why they chose their quote and how it relates to their life. Prompt them to use specific examples from their experiences. This deepens understanding and builds writing fluency.
Create a bulletin board or digital gallery featuring students’ quotes, artwork, and reflections. Highlight the range of interpretations to show that everyone connects with stories in their own way. This builds classroom community and pride.
Choosing a favorite quote from New Kid helps students make a personal connection to the story, deepening their understanding of the characters, themes, and their own perspectives. It also encourages thoughtful discussion and self-expression.
Students can create a storyboard that visually represents their chosen quote or dialogue using scenes and characters from New Kid, then write a brief description explaining what the quote means to them personally.
Discussing different interpretations of the same quote shows students that every reader brings unique experiences and perspectives, fostering empathy, critical thinking, and richer class discussions.
Example quotes from New Kid include: “This is how I feel every single day of my life, like I’m falling without a parachute.” and “Fitting in on the ride to school is hard work! I have to be like a chameleon.”
Students should: 1) Click "Start Assignment," 2) Choose a favorite quote from New Kid, 3) Create an image representing the quote, and 4) Write what it means to them in the description box.